Special Collections Blog: Special Collections Blog

‘Absorbing, challenging, even provocative’: Theatre in Education and The Tony Jackson Archive 

Archives Assistant Jennifer Voss has just finished listing a new collection. Here she shares some highlights:

We’re excited to announce another new addition to our ever-growing collection of performing arts holdings: the Tony Jackson Archive. The listing of these papers is available at https://de-montfort.epexio.com/records/A10.

Containing reports, journals, conference proceedings and minutes, as well as a wealth of teaching resources, photographs and publicity material, this collection offers a fascinating look at both the policy and governance of Theatre in Education (TIE), and how it was put into practice.  

Promotional material. Top row left to right: Theatre Mobile; The Young National Trust Theatre; Century Theatre. Bottom row left to right: TEAM; Caught in the Act; Theatr Gwent Theatre 

With Jackson’s work connected with TIE in the North West of England, part of the collection has a specific focus on the North West Arts Association (NWAA) Committee of Enquiry into Young People’s Theatre from the 1970s onwards.  

In one of the school information packs produced by the North West Arts Board, an overview of the history, benefits, and application of TIE in schools is supported by a quotation from Jackson highlighting that: 

The extensive teaching resources within this collection reflect these ideals, with workshop material relating to poverty, war, race, the environment, health education, and child protection.  

Teaching Resource Packs: M6 ‘Flags and Bandages’; Theatre Centre ‘Getting Through; Half Moon Young People’s Theatre ‘Dear Suraiya’; Rhode Island Legacy ‘Reform or Rebellion’.

The collection also holds a large number of audio-visual material (VHS and DVD), showcasing various workshops in action and supporting some of the paper-based teaching resource packs.   

VHS and DVD items, including VHS for ‘Marches from Jarrow to Cable Street 1930-36’ with accompanying teaching material.

One of my favourite items in the collection, is this scrapbook from the Young National Trust Theatre (YNTT). The YNTT was the TIE branch of the National Trust which (until it’s dissolution in 2000) facilitated immersive living history experiences for school pupils at National Trust properties. The scrapbook contains photographs, drawings, and letters from children expressing their enjoyment and revealing what they learned on their visit. It also includes short informative passages from promotional material, addressing the importance of historical accuracy and the authenticity of the costumes.   

YNTT Scrapbook

As Emeritus Professor of Educational Theatre at the University of Manchester, Tony Jackson has been actively involved in the research, development, practice, and delivery of Theatre in Education. This archive is a reflection of his long-established work in this area. Why not book an appointment to take a look?!  Contact us on archives@dmu.ac.uk to make an appointment.